National Museum unveils two motoring icons

24 AUGUST 2004

Two iconic treasures of Australia's motoring history will be
unveiled at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra at 11.15am
tomorrow.

The purchase of the Holden Prototype No.1, constructed in
Detroit as the definitive model for millions of Holden cars, is the
most significant addition to the Museum's National Historical
Collection since it opened in 2001.

The added acquisition of the Holden No.215 - believed to be the
first FX ever sold and bought by the famous industrialist Essington
Lewis - enables the Museum to tell this remarkable story of
Australian manufacturing.

The Holdens will be unveiled by Ian Metherall and Mary Munckton,
two members of Essington Lewis' family from Melbourne. Holden
representative John Morrison; Holden expert and author Don Loffler;
and 92-year-old Jack Rawnsley, one of the original engineers who
constructed the prototype in 1946, will also be attending.

"These cars are synonymous with Australia's automotive,
industrial and cultural history," said National Museum director
Craddock Morton. "The Holden remains firmly planted in our
consciousness as Australia's Own Car and we're delighted these two
icons now belong to all Australians at the National Museum."

The Holden Prototype No.1 was the first test car for the 48-215
Holden, popularly known as the FX, the model before the FJ. It was
designed by Australian and American engineers before being shipped
to Australia in 1946 and apparently driven to Victoria under cover
of darkness.

The prototype was later sold to a Holden foreman and eventually
traded to a Holden dealership in Morwell, where it remained for 40
years. Once restored, the prototype was purchased by Ian Metherall
who sold it this month to the National Museum. The car still has
the original hand welding and rolling, and holes indicating initial
American badging.

The Holden No.215 was purchased by BHP chairman Essington Lewis
after years championing the Australian car project. It was later
sold to an employee, passed on to a local rabbiter and eventually
recovered by Essington's daughter Mary Munckton, whose family
donated it this month to the National Museum.

The purchase was made with the assistance of the National
Cultural Heritage Account.

Both historic Holdens will be on show in the National Museum's
Hall until Sunday, 29 August.